Mesa Subway Bass DI-Preamp

[agedhorse]

I can't comment on what future products might be in development, but I do listen closely to comments on the forum.

 

[DuShauh]

Let me know, there have been so few problems that I'm interested in pretty much anything at this point.

I sent you a PM/started a conversation Andy.

 

[agedhorse]

I sent you a PM/started a conversation Andy.

Got it and replied.

 

[3rdcurve]

I received my DI earlier this week. So far I am very pleased. I look forward to playing with the eq more to fine my tone. Like the others have said, absolutely no problem pushing a power amp, and just super quiet. Moving from a Reidmar 750, I can really appreciate a noiseless circuit!

 

[monkeyland]

What kind of battery life are you guys getting? I've had my DI for a week and I've used two batteries. One was a Duracell Quantum that I used for two gigs, so about 6 hrs total. Should I be calling warranty support?

I should also add that the sound made when the battery is dead is TERRIFYING. Loud high pitched squeal. I'm sure this can't be normal.

 

[agedhorse]

Typical battery life is probably 20+ hours, but there will always be some variability depending on which outputs are being used, how heavily loaded they are, and the level being driven. There is also a lot of variability in battery capacity versus discharge rate. Most of my tests yielded 18-22 hours consistently under significant loads using alkaline batteries. Note that old school carbon batteries are not recommended and will exhibit very low battery life. If the battery voltage falls far enough, it is certainly likely that it will make noises similar to what you describe.

In general you are probably better off using an external power supply (or pedalboard power supply), battery power is an choice that gives options when the show must go on. Because this is a very low noise preamp that can deliver full line level balanced output with plenty of headroom to drive any pro audio power amp on the market, there is some tradeoff in battery life extension.

You can PM me and I can help you more.

 

[MaHei]

Yes, about 20 hours is what I get from a duracell, including funky noises towards the end of its lifespan. Moderate output level on the DI with the volume at ten o'clock.

 

[Daniel Piper]

I know this will have been addressed, but I can't see it - will it run off phantom power?

Really looking forward to picking one up - especially to compliment my passive basses.

 

[agedhorse]

I know this will have been addressed, but I can't see it - will it run off phantom power?

Really looking forward to picking one up - especially to compliment my passive basses.

No, it will run off of battery or external 9 volt supply.

Phantom power can not supply enough current for the low noise circuitry and high current line drivers.

 

[Daniel Piper]

Thanks!

 

[John B jr]

Nothing I read here scared me and @agedhorse has been on the spot with support on the rare issues. The glowing praise far outweighed the concerns so I'm in for one of these little boxes as an alternative to a VT Deluxe. The primary use case is in front of an ancient 3RU ship's anchor 850W QSC over a stack of full range JBL cabinets. I can see it on my pedal board too though.

Three reasons for this item:

1. My band is going into the recording studio so it will get an immediate trial. This DI/preamp doesn't need a bypass switch as far as I'm concerned. Knowing that a quiet DI was one of the main design goals is reassuring.

2. As a live tool, the ability to dial up or down on the FOH level and immediately compensate for the back line level is the icing. Simple to use and versatile works for me.

3. Jamming at home with the four-band EQ and voicing knob will be a fun tone-quest. How that translates to rehearsal is another matter but having a Mesa tone stack in such a tight package with so many routing features is a nice birthday present to myself.

 

[agedhorse]

Regarding a bypass switch.... what is there to bypass? It's a preamp and a DI. If you bypass the preamp, it won't function as a preamp which is what it is.

Every time I ask this question, I get a puzzled response because nobody has thought it through as though it's a fully functioning preamp just like the one on the D-800, and that doesn't have a bypass switch either.

Anybody have another idea what a bypass switch would do (that makes sense based on its evolution from the D-800 amp)?

 

[John B jr]

Regarding a bypass switch.... what is there to bypass? It's a preamp and a DI. If you bypass the preamp, it won't function as a preamp which is what it is.

Every time I ask this question, I get a puzzled response because nobody has thought it through as though it's a fully functioning preamp just like the one on the D-800, and that doesn't have a bypass switch either.

Anybody have another idea what a bypass switch would do (that makes sense based on its evolution from the D-800 amp)?

This is correct. My other pre-amp gets switched to a different preset but never turned off. It really wasn't a question or a complaint, just a statement that you'd have it to use it. The feature set does what I want. I don't see anything quite like it out there. Putting the XLRs on the north bank is brilliant. The price is great, especially for the Mesa mojo. I can't wait to hear it with some fresh strings. Thank you for your instant reply!

 

[nostatic]

I think people are assuming a mute foot switch - for changing instruments, etc. I use a tuner pedal for that function, but I could see it on the Subway DI.

 

[John B jr]

I've read all the threads on this, it's what I do. . Someone mentioned turning it down with the volume knob for silence. My pedalboard tuner has a silencer and the rack-mount one does as well but I just hit the amp switch for the most part. That way, no sound is even remotely possible. I was EQ shopping when I found this piece of pro-equipment that does so much more.

 

[russellh86]

I got my Subway DI yesterday, but due to a new baby and no 9v batteries in the house I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I did have two related and quick questions though.

1. I'm going to use the DI as a preamp in front of my Phil Jones Bighead headphone amp. Which output on the Subway would be best suited for this application?

2. I also want to use the DI as an alternative/additional preamp for my Fender Rumble 500 combo by plugging it into the effects return. Similar to the question above, which output on the Subway would be best suited for this?

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

 

[nostatic]

I got my Subway DI yesterday, but due to a new baby and no 9v batteries in the house I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I did have two related and quick questions though.

1. I'm going to use the DI as a preamp in front of my Phil Jones Bighead headphone amp. Which output on the Subway would be best suited for this application?

2. I also want to use the DI as an alternative/additional preamp for my Fender Rumble 500 combo by plugging it into the effects return. Similar to the question above, which output on the Subway would be best suited for this?

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

You're going to want to use the preamp out 1/4" jack on the top, not the thru out on the left side. The thru out doesn't get any preamp goodness. The preamp out is line level, so that would go to the effects return on the head. You could use the thru into the front end of the PJ but won't get any eq.

 

[Al Kraft]

Regarding a bypass switch.... what is there to bypass? It's a preamp and a DI. If you bypass the preamp, it won't function as a preamp which is what it is.

Every time I ask this question, I get a puzzled response because nobody has thought it through as though it's a fully functioning preamp just like the one on the D-800, and that doesn't have a bypass switch either.

Anybody have another idea what a bypass switch would do (that makes sense based on its evolution from the D-800 amp)?

It seems to me that since you have a pre/post option switch on the back and an input parallel (through) jack already, the only thing that someone might be referring to is really a mute function (i.e. by-passed signal?). That's admittedly an odd way to say "mute switch", but I can't imagine anything else.

 

[mmbongo]

Regarding a bypass switch.... what is there to bypass? It's a preamp and a DI. If you bypass the preamp, it won't function as a preamp which is what it is.

Every time I ask this question, I get a puzzled response because nobody has thought it through as though it's a fully functioning preamp just like the one on the D-800, and that doesn't have a bypass switch either.

Anybody have another idea what a bypass switch would do (that makes sense based on its evolution from the D-800 amp)?

I do see a use for a bypass switch. Maybe. Yes I realize I'm in the minority with my setup, and I'm in no way saying 'it SHOULD HAVE a bypass switch!!' but since you asked I'll explain why in my setup a bypass switch would be useful.

I have two pedal boards, a big one and a small one.

My small one has the Mesa DI on it. This board is small and lightweight, easy to carry to practice and small shows.

My big board has all my goodies on it, but with an MXR preamp pedal for DI because of its small size. This is my main setup and I use this board with my Subway amp.

I have cheaper non-Mesa amps and combo amps that I use at practice. If they get stolen or dropped or beer on them, no biggie. However, I want them to have that Mesa goodness so enter the Mesa DI pedal on my small board. It all fits in one little bag..amp and all.

However, sometimes I might want to use my small board with my Mesa amp. And this is probably where it gets stupid on my part. I just have a complex about running the Mesa DI into the Mesa amp and doubling up on the EQ and gain stages and stuff. So why not use the THRU on the DI pedal? Because my tuner stays connected to it.

So there you have my convoluted method of seeing how a bypass switch could be used. If a bypass switch gave me dual THRU outputs, it would be ideal. FOR ME. Of course a tuner output would get me there as well.

 

[agedhorse]

So guys, the preamp outputs are LINE level... bypassing would yield instrument level signal which is about 20dB lower. Can't see how useful this would or even could be...??? What could you use this for (or what would any normal application use this for)?